The Easy Granola Recipe That’ll Save You a Trip to the Store
Updated: Mar. 25, 2024
Light, sweet and crunchy; get ready to add this easy granola recipe to your regular rotation.
It’s sweet, crunchy and instantly upgrades any dish it touches; granola is one of our go-to snacks and for good reason. It’s simple to prepare and always tastes better homemade. To make this easy granola recipe, you only need a handful of ingredients; they’re probably already in your pantry.
Psst! Get creative with all of our homemade granola ideas.
Tips on Selecting Ingredients
A simple granola recipe starts with oats, sweetener and oil.
- Use instant oats, and if you’re sticking to a gluten-free meal plan, look for oats made in a facility without gluten products.
- Brown sugar is a granola staple but feel free to branch out. Liquid sweeteners like honey, maple syrup or agave nectar work well because they stick to the oats and give you plenty of sweet chunks in the mix.
- For the oil, start with unsalted butter; salted works in a pinch. To lighten up your recipe, try natural coconut oil for the same consistency with a slightly nutty taste.
Essential Tools You’ll Need
When it’s time to bake the granola, choose a sturdy, rimmed metal baking sheet ($30). Make sure the granola is spread into one even layer; use a larger size if needed.
Baked-on honey does not come off of a baking sheet easily. Avoid a sticky mess by lining your baking sheet with a silicone baking mat ($14).
When mixing your granola ingredients, the oat mixture will feel thick. Be sure to use a quality mixing spoon that won’t crack under pressure. This silicone mixing spoon ($10) is BPA-free and has a stainless steel handle for heavy mixing and a beautiful display.
How to Make Homemade Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 2 tablespoons golden raisins
- 2 tablespoons sweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
Step 1: Combine dry ingredients
In a large bowl, mix together oats, almonds, golden raisins and shredded coconut. Set aside.
Step 2: Cook the sweetener
In a small saucepan, stir the brown sugar, honey and butter over medium-low heat until bubbly, 1-2 minutes. Pour over the oats and toss to coat.
Step 3: Bake in the oven
Transfer granola to a baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until crisp, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks. Store in an airtight container. Serve with yogurt if desired.
Is Granola Healthy?
Granola is loaded with healthy ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds and fruit. It can become unhealthy when it’s too high in sugar, leading to extra calories and fat for your body. To keep it as healthy as possible, make your own granola and cut back on the sugar in the recipe.
Each 1/4 cup serving of this granola recipe has 102 calories, 3 grams of fat, 6 grams of sugars, 2 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein.
How to Make This Recipe Your Own
There are so many ways to upgrade this crunchy, healthy breakfast treat; here are a few of our favorites:
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola: Combine oats with salted peanuts and pecans. In a medium saucepan, melt peanut butter, honey and strawberry jam together. Toss to coat and back at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until crisp, stirring every 10 minutes.
- Brown Butter Nut Granola: Start with our base granola recipe and mix the dry ingredients together. In a medium saucepan, heat butter until browned, then add brown sugar and honey. Toss to coat and back at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until crisp, stirring every 10 minutes.
- Chai Spice Granola: Start with our base granola recipe, adding chopped hazelnuts, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg. Melt the butter, honey and brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Toss to coat and back at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until crisp, stirring every 10 minutes.
How Long Does Homemade Granola Last?
Store your granola in an airtight container for up to one month. It’s best to keep this crunchy treat in a cool, dry place like the pantry or snack cabinet.
What to Serve with Your Granola
It doesn’t take much to make yogurt a meal. Sprinkle it over some yogurt (we love plain Greek!) add some fresh fruit and you’ve got a delicious breakfast. Another way you can enjoy yogurt is as a salad topping for a little extra crunch. Granola works well in dessert, too. Sprinkle it over chocolate-dipped pretzels, apple sections or frozen bananas for a kid-friendly treat.
Originally Published: April 21, 2020
